Question about making the switch to a 29er

I currently have a trek fuel ex-8, looking at a Trek superfly elite 100 gary fisher collection carbon 29er. I have read all the advantages of the 29er however it seems a bit harder to pedal uphill. But this bike was build for xc and it weighs 7lbs less than the fuel. Should it be about the same then? Thanks!

Re: Question about making the switch to a 29er

I don't know these specific bikes but I made the switch last fall from a SC Nomad to a RIP9. The Nomad had a 3x10 gear set and the RIP9 has the 2x10, which was harder to pedal at first but within a few weeks I had adapted.

I doubt being a 29er has anything to do with it being harder to pedal up hills. Like others said, I think it's just gearing. Although if the front and rear are the same number of teeth as you're used to and you're saying it's harder, then it IS because it's a 29er - you effectively have more gear inches because of the larger wheel.

I'd honestly like to know the weak little fvck who started this myth how many ever eons ago Yes 29ers are harder to accelerate up hills, that why when I made the switch from a 26er to 29er (26er having Nevegals, 29er coming with Nanos) after only a few months I upgraded my rings from the "standard 22/32/44 to 24/34//46 because I could climb the same hills in harder gears on lesser tyre When will this BS ever die

One day your life will flash before your eyes, will it be worth watching??

roll on 29er

But its not one thing, its a whole bunch of things. Noting that whole bunch of things all add up to suit my particular circumstances.

But to pick one relevant BIG plus:

I can cadence the 29er uphill. Its like I have a big flywheel on board. Once up to speed (yes it probably is a fraction slower to accelerate) then it just rolls right on (because it is much more reluctant to decellerate over the usual rocks and gutter obstacles along the way).

As a result of this (plus those other things), I went from slowpoke to FAST

(In case you are wondering, I am quicker downhill too - knocking 10% off my strava times - all because it pedals so much better)

With equivalent gears, a 29er will be a bit harder to climb and accelerate due to the larger wheel circumference. You move a little further with each crank rotation, so you're actually doing more work. Roughly speaking, you seem to "lose" a gear on a 29er. This can be overcome by using a 12-36T cassette or replacing your 22T ring with a 20T. The cassette option is easiest, the 20T ring takes some fiddling. For really "weak" climbers, like me, who love low gearing, you can combine both options and get a great granny. Plus, it really pisses off lyNx, but don't do it just for that alone.

I got the 2013 Trek Superfly Elite (non 100) a few weeks ago, and love it. Head to toe. So as a hardtail i cant speak to your 100. I have not gotten into any excessively steep climbing but I haven't noticed a big change on the hills I've been on vs my 26. What I have noticed is: a/ the Superfly Elite is an amazing bike. And b/ that this 29er flies when you open it up. Get one and don't look back.

Ok here it is, I have a water tower hill by my house on my 26 it pretty much takes everything I've got to get up it, most friends have to walk it, the new 29er went right up no problem even after a 10 hour day in 90deg weather I'm stoked!!!!!

Ok here it is, I have a water tower hill by my house on my 26 it pretty much takes everything I've got to get up it, most friends have to walk it, the new 29er went right up no problem even after a 10 hour day in 90deg weather I'm stoked!!!!!

Glad to hear that! The weight reduction is a huge factor where climbing is concerned. Enjoy!!!

Ok here it is, I have a water tower hill by my house on my 26 it pretty much takes everything I've got to get up it, most friends have to walk it, the new 29er went right up no problem even after a 10 hour day in 90deg weather I'm stoked!!!!!

With equivalent gears, a 29er will be a bit harder to climb and accelerate due to the larger wheel circumference. You move a little further with each crank rotation, so you're actually doing more work. Roughly speaking, you seem to "lose" a gear on a 29er. This can be overcome by using a 12-36T cassette or replacing your 22T ring with a 20T. The cassette option is easiest, the 20T ring takes some fiddling. For really "weak" climbers, like me, who love low gearing, you can combine both options and get a great granny. Plus, it really pisses off lyNx, but don't do it just for that alone.

I know what you're implying, but what you're saying doesn't make any sense.

With the same gears, a 29er will have more gear inches than a 26" bike. With equivalent gearing, they would be the same.

As I said, better traction, climbs easier/better and I'm betting you find you climb in the "same" gear i.e 2-3 as you did on your 26er, only difference is you actually make the climb now instead of having to bail and most likely in short time you'll be riding a harder gear, hence my argument that it's a none issue.

Originally Posted by BMSrider

Ok here it is, I have a water tower hill by my house on my 26 it pretty much takes everything I've got to get up it, most friends have to walk it, the new 29er went right up no problem even after a 10 hour day in 90deg weather I'm stoked!!!!!

One day your life will flash before your eyes, will it be worth watching??

you will have good grip.....yup. I always spun out with my 26er full sus leaving me un clipping. My 29er hardtails and rigids alway seem to leave me grip due to me now having the perfect amount of leverage to the back wheel. The 26er.,, i would pick my perfect so called gear and then the back wheel would just break loose leaving me in hike a bike mode. The 29er seemed to resolve that problem. Just and fyi for you and good luck.

Question about making the switch to a 29er

Originally Posted by Gasp4Air

With equivalent gears, a 29er will be a bit harder to climb and accelerate due to the larger wheel circumference. You move a little further with each crank rotation, so you're actually doing more work. Roughly speaking, you seem to "lose" a gear on a 29er. This can be overcome by using a 12-36T cassette or replacing your 22T ring with a 20T. The cassette option is easiest, the 20T ring takes some fiddling. For really "weak" climbers, like me, who love low gearing, you can combine both options and get a great granny. Plus, it really pisses off lyNx, but don't do it just for that alone.

With equivalent gearing (which factors in wheel size), the bike moves the same distance per pedal stroke.

I doubt being a 29er has anything to do with it being harder to pedal up hills. Like others said, I think it's just gearing. Although if the front and rear are the same number of teeth as you're used to and you're saying it's harder, then it IS because it's a 29er - you effectively have more gear inches because of the larger wheel.

24x36 granny gear on a 29 is equivalent to a 26 in 26x33 position. modestly more difficult on a very steep climb.

OP, don't mind him, smokin some crap. 24-36 (granny-granny) on the 29er would be roughly equal to riding 22-30 (granny-2) on your old 26er - actually a very little bit harder, depending on the tyres you ran on your 26er and what's now on your 29er.

Remind me again who makes a cassette with a 33 tooth cog? NO ONE!

Originally Posted by LB412

24x36 granny gear on a 29 is equivalent to a 26 in 26x33 position. modestly more difficult on a very steep climb.

One day your life will flash before your eyes, will it be worth watching??

OP, don't mind him, smokin some crap. 24-36 (granny-granny) on the 29er would be roughly equal to riding 22-30 (granny-2) on your old 26er - actually a very little bit harder, depending on the tyres you ran on your 26er and what's now on your 29er.

Remind me again who makes a cassette with a 33 tooth cog? NO ONE!

I understand no brands make A 33... It's a mathematical fact based on the tire size. It's also the reason shimano is releasing a new 22/30/40 intended for 29ers and 650bs next year. There are several forums that discuss this in detail.

Personally my climbing improved significantly on all but the steepest of steep routes when I changed to a 29er.